Gentle Highlights

Tending to our roots, together.

Manuscript Development

Editorial Coaching

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Who is Gentle Highlights for?

The writer looking for a holistic approach to elevate their writing through conversation, connection, and craft.

Distilled from a 20-year career in journalism, editing, and publishing, Gentle Highlights was created to be a conversational companion and guide for the work you're doing both on and off the page. Whether you're looking for writing tools to level-up your creative practice, editorial feedback on a particular piece or a full manuscript, or publishing and application support, Gentle Highlights is here to help you tell your story in a way that is impactful and true to your lived experience. Questions are the undercurrent of our editorial approach, and our process is clear, thorough, and structured, allowing you — the writer — to fully explore the edges and depth of your work. We believe that the relationship between a writer and an editor is a sacred one, which is why we invest a substantial amount of time and energy into getting to know you first before even diving into what's on the page.

gentle strengthens

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gentle deepens

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gentle listens

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gentle releases

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gentle envisions

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gentle strengthens · gentle deepens · gentle listens · gentle releases · gentle envisions ·

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“Working with you on this piece has been one of the most meaningful editorial experiences I’ve had as a writer. The way you engaged with this story — with such care, precision, and generosity — has pushed me to trust my own instincts while also challenging me to see what the story needed that I couldn’t see on my own."


—Hasret Eleby
Seventh Wave contributor

“Whenever I’m in the same room as Joyce, I always deeply feel her heart and mind. She pays attention to people as much as she does ideas, noticing and making sure I am supported both inside and outside my residency sessions. I am so grateful to have Joyce as a facilitator and mentor.”



—T. De Los Reyes
Seventh Wave digital resident

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“Thank you so much for working with me these past few months. The way you close-read my work and thoughtfully untangled the sticky bits showed me how editing is not only a form of caretaking, but an art form. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”

—brenda Lin,
author of Unraveling Threads

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“I just wanted to say *thank you* for the time, effort and energy you put into making my piece shine. You made my work feel seen and gave it the space and weight and attention it deserved, and in doing that you gave me value as an artist.”


—Malaka Gharib,
author of I Was Their American Dream

MY APPROACH

Any sort of writing or creative pursuit is an extension of the person who is at the helm, and so I care less about the classification of a piece or manuscript and more about the human behind the work.

My professional background is in journalism and creative nonfiction, so work that speaks from personal experience or deep research/inquiry into a specific subject is my forte, but I also enjoy diving into short stories, hybrid works, and especially work that cannot be easily classified by genre.

My goal is to get to the heart of the story you want to tell, together, and then guide you gently to bring that into being on the page. I enjoy helping folks develop as writers at all stages of their writing career, so am happy to offer guidance on everything from applications for MFA programs to submitting to literary journals to drafting up the perfect agent query letter.

As a Taiwanese-American writer, I am particularly keen on helping marginalized writers (BIPOC, LGBTQ+) find and then amplify their voices through their work.

Notes on the process:

  • To kick off our time together, regardless of what service you’re looking for, I offer a free 15-minute consultation.

    During this time, we can learn a little more about each other: your preferred working style, your hopes for your piece or manuscript, and any road blocks you’re hitting as you try to finesse your draft.

    I will explain my editing style, which is admittedly very hands-on. If we determine the partnership is a good fit, we will set up a game plan for a timeline and meeting frequency that feels right for your project or piece.

    If it’s not the right fit, that’s no problem. I may be able to help point you in a different or better direction for your needs.

  • In general, you can expect plenty of in-line notes and marginalia on your pieces, as well as a substantial summary at the end that points out patterns and areas of improvement, with suggestions for how to dig in to strengthen the work.

    For manuscript-length work, I will provide at minimum 6 typed pages; for individual one-off essays or stories, I will provide at minimum 1 typed page. For all forms of work, there are various check-ins, feedback sessions, and even accountability sessions — if desired — where we co-work quietly together to keep you in your practice and discipline.

  • I view my role as one of a creative coach who is helping you to identify the core of your work and how to strengthen it, versus as an instructor who will give you easy answers.

    If you’re looking for someone who will lovingly push you to be your most honest, vulnerable, risk-taking self on the page, I’m your gal.

  • There are two primary ways that we can work together.

    1. Manuscript consulting. If you are looking for feedback on your writing on the page, whether it is a one-off piece or a partial or full manuscript, what you’re looking for is manuscript consulting. I will still make sure we take the time to get to know each other, of course, but the primary place where the work happens will be on the page. 

    2. Editorial coaching. If you are seeking some guidance on how to establish a writing routine, and/or trying to build up that writing muscle through accountability, prompts, and goal-setting, then you’re most likely looking for editorial coaching. In the past, I’ve worked with folks on a bi-weekly, or monthly, basis, to help them move toward a goal that might be more about what’s off the page: developing good writing habits, getting themselves organized for a larger project, or figuring out a sustainable cadence for submitting.

  • Generally speaking, these are the genres/things I can offer feedback on:

    • Memoir

    • Essay

    • Hybrid Works

    • Journalism

    • Short Fiction

    • Query Letters

    • Book Proposals

    • Magazine/Journal Submissions

    • MFA Applications

    • Award/Residency Applications

    • College Essays

  • Generally speaking, I charge $120/hour for most editing, but during our initial 15-minute call, we can also chat about rates, which can vary depending upon what services you are looking for — whether it is ongoing support, a full manuscript read, or feedback on a standalone piece.

    I do also offer a select number of sliding-scale offerings, as I want to be able to meet folks where they’re at. Don’t hesitate to ask!

Hot tip: If you’re curious to learn the difference between manuscript consulting and editorial coaching, see “Two ways of working together” item above.

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    Developmental editing

    For writers in need of structural, guided support on a piece, project, or process.

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    Line-editing, copyediting, proofreading

    For writers in need of an editor with an attention to detail, mechanics, and language.

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    Complete manuscript read + feedback

    For writers in need of a close-reader and editor for their book-length project.

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    Application support

    For writers putting together a book proposal, submitting work for publication, or writing a cover letter for a residency.

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    Publication readiness

    For writers getting their writing ready for submission and in need of guidance to find the right outlet for their work.

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    Career mentorship

    For writers navigating a career in freelance journalism, building their own literary arts nonprofit, or transitioning from one field to another.

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    Conversation partner

    For writers in need of a skilled conversation partner for a public reading event.

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    Sensitivity reading

    For writers in need of a gut check on any aspect of their work or writing.

  • "Over several years, Joyce guided me in creating and sharing my family history story. Her editorial feedback was consistently clear, insightful, and encouraging. I will be forever grateful for her mentorship and support, which has led to my forthcoming published manuscript."

    —Emily Sekler Breese, author of forthcoming memoir Letters Across Time

  • "Reading Joyce’s feedback, I felt like I was perched on her shoulder, quietly watching as she read my manuscript. She pointed to where she was moved and confused, what worked and what did not. Throughout her notes, she posed questions that prompted me to dig deeper. Quite a gift!"

    —Stokley Towles

Interest Form

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